Publisher David Cathcart

Recording from event held by the Irish Free Software Organisation & MEP De Rossa on 2005-11-18. Event page: http://ifso.ie/events/2005-11-18/.

The Software Patents Directive was the second largest lobbying effort that the European Union has seen. After two years of work on this directive, and now that the directive has been rejected, IFSO would like to look back on what was achieved and why it was so important to so many people.

Attendees will hear how the EU legislative process worked in practice, who was represented in the process, and who wasn't.

The seminar will also look at the road ahead for the software patents battle in the EU. While this attempt at introducing software patents has been decisively blocked, the exclusion of software ideas from patentability still has to be hardened. Until then, we will face attempts to get software patents in through the back door. Some such attempts are already under way.

Finally, the broader implications will be looked at, for related legislation which adds unnecessary risks and costs to the development and distribution of software. By making it impractical for smaller companies and individuals to participate in the development and distribution of software, such legislation stands to benefit the current market leaders at the cost of competition and freedom.

Contact Information David Cathcart david (at) cathcart dot cx Irish Free Software Organisation: contact (at) ifso dot ie, http://www.ifso.ie